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Memorial Forest Program ExpandsCreating forests as a living memorial of our loved onesMemorial Forests are a natural, lasting tribute to loved ones. For 20 years, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has been partnering with local funeral homes and municipalities, creating five Memorial Forests and planting over 11,000 native trees. New to the Memorial Forest program – anyone may contact the UTRCA directly to have a tree planted in the Memorial Forest of their choice. Trees range in price from $20 to $50, depending on where the tree is planted and the tree species. The family of the deceased receives an “In Memorium” card notifying them that a tree is being planted in memory of their loved one. A dedication service is held each fall at the London, St. Marys and Woodstock Memorial Forests. The UTRCA’s Memorial Forest partners are:
The UTRCA welcomes other organizations and individuals who wish to join us in the Memorial Forest program. Please contact , Resource Specialist. See a video about the UTRCA’s Memorial Forest program.
Contact: , Resource Specialist February 1, 2012 Jobs Available!Upper Thames River Conservation AuthorityHuman Resources staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) announce 60 seasonal jobs are now available. The majority of seasonal staff will be hired to work at three large Conservation Areas:
More than 400,000 people visit these Conservation Areas each year. The UTRCA is looking for people with backgrounds in parks and facilities management, security, and recreation. The UTRCA also employs staff with backgrounds in urban planning, engineering, GIS, ecology, biology, environmental science/management, forestry, fish & wildlife, and teaching. UTRCA staff will be present at the Western Job Fair on Thursday, February 2 and the Fanshawe College Career Day on Wednesday, February 8. The UTRCA employs staff to:
Mary Sloan, Human Resources Assistant with the UTRCA, says, “I’m really pleased that we have so many good seasonal jobs available for the 2012 season.” The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has been inspiring a healthy environment since 1947. Contact: , Human Resources/Payroll Administrator January 27, 2012 Planting Buffers in the Dorchester WatershedThe UTRCA has identified the headwater region of the Dorchester watershed as a high priority area for conservation initiatives, particularly buffer restoration projects. The watershed’s water quality can benefit greatly from vegetation planted along open watercourses and drains. The UTRCA has been working with the Dorchester Watershed Action Committee, Middlesex Stewardship Council, Municipality of Thames Centre, Township of Zorra and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to coordinate this initiative. The next phase will include contacting landowners in the Dorchester watershed who would like to plant buffers along their open watercourses and drains to help improve water quality by reducing erosion and runoff, particularly along the northern section of the creeks and drains. Our goal is to involve the community with these projects (e.g., having local students plant the trees). The benefits of planting riparian buffers include:
The UTRCA will release new watershed report cards later this year. Contact: , Community Partnership Specialist January 24, 2012 That's a lot of Fish!Gizzard shad, a member of the Herring Family, have been showing up in unusually large numbers. While they may not be indicators of stream health or river recovery they do give an indication of the incredible productivity of the Thames that is often difficult to observe. The fish are usually present in fairly large numbers but stay in deeper water where they are rarely caught by anglers, as they are herbivores feeding primarily on algae. The photo on our homepage was taken below Fanshawe Dam at the hydroelectric plant outflow, where the fish appeared to be feeding on algae flowing through from the reservoir. Other sightings have been at warm water outflows due to sewage or industrial discharges. This species is a fairly recent resident of the Thames and is at the northern limit of their range. They are only marginally hardy and first year fish, in particular, must find warmer water to survive the winter. See a video of the Gizzard Shad in the Thames. Contact: , Aquatic Biologist January 16, 2012 Camping Reservations Open for 2012The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s Conservation Areas are now accepting reservations for the 2012 camping season! Save $2 by reserving your campsite online! The online service is available 24 hours a day and allows you to book campsites through to October 14th, 2012. As well, a call centre is available for those who prefer to book by phone, at 1-866-668-2267. For more information, please visit:
Contact: , Coordinator, Conservation Areas November 30, 2011 Reservoirs Storing Flood PeaksConservation Authority Urges Caution Water from the heavy rain of the past two days has been flowing into tributaries across the watershed and rushing to branches of the Thames River. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is operating its flood control dams and reservoirs at Fanshawe (North Thames River in London), Wildwood (Trout Creek near St. Marys) and Pittock (Thames River in Woodstock) to reduce the flood peaks on the Thames River. Water flowing into the reservoirs is being held back behind the dams and released gradually. More water is entering the reservoirs than is being released and this causes the reservoirs to fill. Both Wildwood and Pittock reservoirs had been lowered over the past two months to make room for flood water storage. During this week’s flood event, operations at Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir have reduced flows on the North Thames River by up to 40%. Wildwood has reduced the peak flows of Trout Creek through St. Marys by nearly 90% and assists with controlling flows reaching Fanshawe. Pittock has reduced flows of the South Thames River by 50%. “It isn’t unusual to have an event like this in the fall,” said Mark Helsten, Senior Water Resources Engineer with the UTRCA. “At this time of the year we have our reservoirs at an optimal level to reduce the effects of flooding, as we’ve lowered them to prepare for exactly this type of event.” The UTRCA continues to urge caution around area waterways. Streams, rivers and ponds are filled or overflowing after the rain of the last couple of days. Waterways are running high and fast, causing localized flooding in some low-lying areas. Water levels in many of the smaller tributaries have peaked but will remain elevated for the remainder of the week. Floodplain regulations and flood
control structures, such as Fanshawe Dam and the West London Dykes,
together protect watershed residents from a repeat of the devastation
caused by floods in the past. See current Thames River flow and meteorological information. Contact: , Coordinator, Community & Corporate Services November 28, 2011 High Water Safety Bulletin Issued - Conservation Authority Urges CautionThe Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is warning people to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and fast-flowing water is very dangerous. Parents in particular are urged to keep children away from floodplain areas. “The Upper Thames River watershed is forecast to receive 50 to 70 mm of rain, beginning this evening and continuing into Tuesday night,” stated Mark Helsten, Senior Water Resources Engineer with the UTRCA. “The ground is already wet due to last weekend’s rain, which means more of the rain will run off into rivers and ponds.” If the rain materializes, the UTRCA expects creeks and rivers to rise, inundating low lying areas known to traditionally experience flooding. “At this point, we don’t anticipate any serious flooding,” said Mr. Helsten. UTRCA staff are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary. See current Thames River flow and meteorological information. The UTRCA’s flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Pittock (Woodstock) and Wildwood (St. Marys) will be operated to reduce downstream flooding effects. Contact: , Communications Specialist November 28, 2011 London Flood Control Dykes get a boost from Provincial FundingLondon’s seven flood control dykes are being assessed for long-term stability and safety. A total of 60 test boreholes are being drilled to help review the long term stability of the dykes. Funding is provided by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure program and the City of London. The project complements recent and ongoing work, and will assist in planning future maintenance and upgrades. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is coordinating the work in cooperation with the City of London Planning, Engineering and Environmental Services Department. There are seven flood control dykes in the City of London (view MAP of dykes):
Much of London’s dyke system, with the exception of the West London Dyke, was built after the Flood of 1937 and before Fanshawe Dam was completed in 1952. In recent years, some of the dykes have been the subject of specific studies and repairs. A major section of the West London Dyke has already been replaced, as part of an ongoing master repair plan for that dyke. This assessment of the London dykes will help the UTRCA and the City prepare for future challenges associated with aging infrastructure and a changing climate. The UTRCA and the City are continually assessing changes in the natural environment that may affect flood control and water quality. The dykes are an important component of the UTRCA’s flood management program. While most Londoners think of Fanshawe Dam when they are asked about flood control, the dam is just one of several structures that protect people and property from flooding. The Conservation Authority operates Fanshawe Dam (London), Wildwood Dam (St. Marys) and Pittock Dam (Woodstock) in a coordinated effort with the watershed’s dyke and channel systems to help manage flood events. Contact: , Supervisor, Water Control Structures November 15, 2011 New Environmental Log Crib tested along Lake VictoriaMayor Dan Mathieson and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) will announce the installation of a Log Crib along Lake Victoria on Friday, November 18th, 10:30 am at North Shore Park in Stratford. The Log Crib will provide erosion control along the north bank of Lake Victoria reducing sediment entering into the Avon River. The structure will also provide habitat for aquatic species. Students from Stratford Central Secondary School will help UTRCA staff build this bioengineered structure. Bioengineering combines engineered and biological solutions. The log crib will use live dormant shrub species such as dogwood to provide a natural repair. The project is a spot repair/maintenance project that may be a temporary fix until the City proceeds with a more comprehensive project for the north shore as per the Environmental Assessment. The effectiveness of this test site will help inform the future detailed design process. When: Friday, November 18, 10:30 a.m. Where: North Shore Park, William Street, Stratford (between Guthrie Ave. and Denison Ave.) Project Partners:
This project is funded by the RBC Blue Water Project through the Clean Water Program. The RBC Blue Water Project is an innovative, wide-ranging, 10-year, global commitment to help protect the world’s most precious natural resource: fresh water. Under the RBC Blue Water Project, RBC has committed $50 million in charitable grants to not-for-profit organizations that protect watersheds and provide or ensure access to clean drinking water. Since 2007, RBC has pledged over $32 million to more than 450 organizations worldwide. The Clean Water Program is a rural water quality initiative that provides technical assistance and financial incentives to improve and protect water quality. Contact: , Coordinator, Conservation Services November 9, 2011 New Corridor Restoration Project near BeachvilleStudents from Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute will begin restoring a portion of the Thames River Corridor east of Beachville on Thursday, November 10th. The students will plant 220 native trees including Black Walnut, Butternut, Staghorn Sumac and Ninebark. The restoration project will improve watershed habitat and health. Over the next year, local students and community members will:
Project Partners: Oxford County Trails Council, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, City of Woodstock, Tabor Bros. Tree Service, local students and landowners. “This project will enhance the corridor environment as well as the Oxford Thames River Trail system” said Brad Hertner, Community Partnerships Specialist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and leader of the initiative. Brad explained that “This is an opportunity to educate local residents through interpretive signs, factsheets and online articles. It also involves approximately 900 local students and other volunteers.” This project is funded by Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program. The EcoAction Program encourages action focused projects that will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future. Contact: , Marketing Specialist November 7, 2011 Medway Creek RehabilitationStudents from Catholic Central High School are planting 100 native trees and wildlife shrubs along Medway Creek to help improve water quality and increase natural habitat. The Friends of Medway Creek targeted this area for rehabilitation to shade, stabilize and buffer the creek. The planting takes place on Tuesday, November 8th, near the Village of Birr. Project Partners: Catholic Central High School students, Friends of Medway Creek, Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority The students will plant sycamore, trembling aspen, hackberry, serviceberry, black cedar, alternate leaf dogwood, nannyberry, red osier dogwood, black chokeberry, and grey dogwood trees and shrubs. This project is funded by Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) and TD Friends of the Environment. About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation: Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $54 million in funding to approximately 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2010, TD FEF provided more than $3.5 million in support of 970 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. About Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program: The overall goal of the HSP is to contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened and other species at risk, and to prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern, by engaging Canadians from all walks of life in conservation actions to benefit wildlife. Contact: , Marketing Specialist |
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